During a period of time when the computerized medication order system was down, the prescriber wrote admission the nurse is transcribing them. The nurse is having difficulty transcribing one order because of the prescriber's handwriting. Which is the best action for the nurse to take at this time?

A) 90 degrees: For intramuscular (IM) injections, including in the ventrogluteal site, the needle should be inserted at a 90-degree angle to ensure that the medication is deposited deep into the muscle tissue. This angle allows the needle to penetrate the skin and subcutaneous tissue directly into the muscle where it can be absorbed efficiently. The ventrogluteal site, being a large and well-muscled area, is ideal for IM injections because it is less likely to cause damage to nerves or blood vessels, and a 90-degree angle ensures proper placement of the medication.

B) 45 degrees: A 45-degree angle is commonly used for subcutaneous injections which go into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin. This angle ensures that the medication is delivered into the correct layer of tissue, allowing for slow absorption. However, when administering an IM injection, a 45-degree angle would not be deep enough to reach the muscle and could result in improper placement, potentially affecting the medication's effectiveness and increasing the risk of irritation at the injection site.

C) 15 degrees: A 15-degree angle is far too shallow for an intramuscular injection and is typically used for intradermal injections, where the medication is injected just beneath the skin into the dermal layer. Using such a shallow angle for an IM injection would likely cause the needle to remain in the subcutaneous tissue, preventing the medication from reaching the muscle layer and significantly reducing its effectiveness.

D) 60 degrees: A 60-degree angle is too steep for intramuscular injections. At this angle, the needle may not effectively reach the muscle tissue and could cause the medication to be injected too superficially into the subcutaneous layer. This would not allow for proper absorption of the drug and may lead to irritation or a delayed therapeutic effect.

A) Ask the client what prescribed medications are taken at home: While obtaining information about the client's home medications is important, this action does not address the specific issue of the unclear order. It is not an appropriate substitute for clarifying the medication order that the nurse is having difficulty transcribing.

B) Contact the prescriber to clarify the order: This is the best action for the nurse to take. If the nurse is unsure about the order due to illegible handwriting, the safest and most effective way to clarify the order is to directly contact the prescriber. This ensures that the nurse administers the correct medication and dose, reducing the risk of medication errors.

C) Wait until the prescriber makes rounds again to clarify the order: Waiting for the prescriber to make rounds is not an appropriate or timely solution. Medication administration should not be delayed due to unclear orders, as it could lead to treatment delays or potential harm to the patient. Immediate clarification is necessary.

D) Ask a colleague what the order says: While consulting a colleague might be helpful, it is not the most reliable or safe course of action. The nurse should not rely on others to interpret unclear orders, as there may be different interpretations or misunderstandings. Contacting the prescriber directly ensures the order is clarified accurately and safely.